Food Centre Receives Halal Certification

The Halal food market has grown quickly over the past decade, and is now worth an estimated $632 billion annually on a global scale. Halal products have become mainstream in the marketplace with several multinational companies such as McDonalds and Nestlé recognizing this, and have expanded their halal approved product lines.

Halal consumption is not limited only to the Muslim population; other consumers are seeking halal foods due to its excellent reputation for healthy and safe food products, and the humane treatment of animals.

Halal food is prepared following a set of Islamic dietary laws and regulations that determine what is permissible, lawful and clean.

The Food Centre is certified by the Halal Advisory Group. If your business goals are to target the Halal market, the Food Centre can help with your processing needs. For more information, please contact Brev Chesky, Operations Manager – Food Processing at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Food labels could be changing to include ALL sugars in nutrition facts tables to help consumers distinguish between sugars that occur naturally and sugars that are added to food. More Info

Effective August 4, 2014, any food product sold in the U.S. and bearing any gluten-free claims must meet FDA requirements. Previously, the requirement for use of a gluten-free label was that the ingredients were gluten free. Now food companies need to ensure that these ingredients are not cross-contaminated in the field or during transport or processing. Read More

SLIM provides support to agri-businesses that process bio-product, food and feed from Saskatchewan crops and livestock. Projects must stimulate improvements in productivity and efficiency through the adoption of best practices, new technologies and state-of-the-art processes.

Applications for pre-approval of Lean Gap Analysis will be accepted until May 15, 2015. Applications for pre-approval of Infrastructure Projects will be accepted until May 15, 2015.

More information is available at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/GF2-SLIM. Contact Sandra Stanger with the SK Ministry of Agriculture at (306)787-6425 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to obtain an application form.

Federated Co-op supports buy local

Co-op has launched its new At Home campaign (www.athomewithcoop.ca) in Alberta and British Columbia, with upcoming introduction in Saskatchewan and Manitoba this Fall. This campaign will help consumers identify and buy local products through shelf labels. Products are scored out of 10 based on the location of product, location of ownership, and source of ingredients.